When the Claret Jug arrives to Royal Portrush in a matter of days, it will do so for the first time in 68 years. For some, The Open isn’t just coming back after a prolonged absence. It’s actually coming home.
Ian Dalzell, PGA of Huntingdon Valley Country Club, grew up with the Dunluce Links in his backyard. He played collegiate golf at Royal Portrush, has been a member for over 25 years, and has led multiple H&B golf trips to Ireland and the club. We asked Ian to share his unique insight ahead of The Open as a preview of what awaits the world’s best.
Take it away, Ian!
Most Difficult Holes for Players
Hole #4 – 482 yards off the championship markers, with two cavernous bunkers on the left half of the fairway waiting to gobble up the tee shot, and white OB stakes along the right side. As if the tee shot didn’t present enough challenge, the green is protected in the front on both sides by high banks that have snarly rough that will test the best wedge game. This will be a tough birdie hole and I expect it to be one of the tougher holes to par when the week is over.
Hole #16 – Can’t leave out Calamity, now #16 in the new routing. It will play around 230-yards for the players, with a 70-foot drop on the entire right side if you let the ball get up in the wind. The elevation is not the only problem, down in the dark hole the balls sometimes nestle in similar spots, so players could find themselves in an old divot making the shot that much harder. Better to aim left, catch Bobby Locke’s hollow, and get it up and in from there! (Bobby Locke in the 1951 Open hit it in the grassy hollow left of the green all four rounds and make par, hence the name).
Most Fun Holes to Watch
Hole #5 – This hole can be drivable for the world’s best if the conditions are right at 374 yards downhill and canting to the right. A two tiered green with a steep bank in the middle, this second shot from the fairway gets interesting with a back hole location because the beach and Atlantic Ocean lay just 2 yards off the back edge of the putting surface and many a thinned shot has found the rocks below. A cool risk-reward hole for the players.
Hole #14 – This hole is a classic second shot hole, with a perched green that will propel most golf balls away from the flag that are not heading for the center of the putting surface. A large bunker sits well below the green on the left side and poses adequate challenge for the world’s best. A good shot from the fairway will be rewarded with a good birdie chance – expect to hear some cheers on this hole as well!
Hometown Favorite
Graeme, of course. The McDowell family grew up just a short walk from the famed links of Portrush, and GMAC as he is affectionately known will have a significant advantage on the field – not only with his knowledge of every wrinkle on every fairway, but also because of the support he will get from the crowds. I believe his opening tee shot on Thursday will be more like Sunday Single at the Ryder Cup than opening tee shot in a major. It will be Epic and I will be there cheering him along!
Tournament Favorite
How could you bet against Brooks Koepka The hottest hand in all of golf at the moment, Brooks has a secret weapon that he will put to good use when he arrives in Portrush. You see his caddie Ricky Elliott is also a hometown lad, growing up and playing all of his junior golf at Royal Portrush. Ricky knows every inch of the property, and will guide his man to victory on Sunday afternoon, I have no doubt!
Special thanks to Ian Dalzell for sharing his insight ahead of The Open. Be sure to keep an eye out for him during the coverage from Royal Portrush.
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